Conax providing media gateway security for StarTimes

Content security provider Conax has entered a contract  with African pay TV outfit StarTimes to co-develop a media  gateway solution for its Africa operations.

With over five million DTH and DTT subscribers and operations across 16 countries, StarTimes is one of the largest players in the region. In their expanded cooperation, Conax will provide it with security client Conax Trusted Link, security expertise and the technical blueprint for designing and deploying a secure multi-room service.

The new whole home solution will provide an advanced service for African households making it much easier to share Live TV and PVR within the home, without needing an internet connection, according to the pair.

Serving households without Internet access is the key differentiator between the unique stand-alone Conax/StarTimes solution and traditional media gateway solutions, according to Conax. Delivery is planned for Q4, 2015.

The media gateway solution will be based on a master PVR developed by StarTimes, and supplemented by tablets, smartphones and a secondary simple low-cost Android set-top-box. The new service will enable all live content from the master PVR, plus PVR recordings, streamed to supplementary in-home devices. Consumers can also programme the PVR from the in-home devices.

Conax will deliver Conax Trusted Link, its new purpose-built security client for in-home distribution of content from a media gateway to a selection of STBs, tablets and smartphones. The distribution of both live TV content and PVR content within the home is controlled through Conax Contego. Conax will provide the StarTimes technical team with guidance in the base design of the media gateway solution; in both security and interaction design. StarTimes’ technical team will develop and build the media gateway, secondary STBs, and the tablet and smart phone apps.

“StarTimes is the fastest-growing digital TV operator in Africa with an ambition to ensure our brands are perceived as highly reliable operators offering a colorful bouquet of services and the highest quality customer service, at competitive rates. As we plan our advanced platform, the new solution with Conax provides an extremely attractive service offering as well as the opportunity for StarTimes Africa operators to introduce multi-room and multiscreen features without adding additional hardware,” said StarTimes Group chairman and president, Pang Xinxing,

“I am highly confident that our long time technical partner and security advisor Conax has the knowledge and expertise to help us develop and deliver a range of advanced new services and future-ready platform to further grow our business across Africa.”

Morten Solbakken, president and CEO, Conax, said: “Conax is very excited to embark on this exciting venture together with StarTimes”, confirms And we are highly proud of StarTimes and Mr. Pang Xinxing’s commitment to Conax for guidance and security advice in developing an advanced, future-oriented platform ready for new advanced services, supporting their growth ambitions in new markets. Conax has an 11 year relationship with StarTimes. The joint media gateway initiative is yet another example of innovation that Conax is creating together with StarTimes and their highly skilled technical team.”

Conax will exhibit at IBC on stand 1.C81